Apple has released macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 to the public, delivering official support for external GPUs via Thunderbolt 3 on compatible MacBooks.
External GPUs provide extra graphical power on top of a MacBook's default graphics card. This is most especially useful for power users who'd like to perform more graphically intensive tasks but don't want to upgrade to newer MacBook models. With eGPU support, they can simply attach a graphics card and add more power that way.
macOS High Sierra External GPU Support
Below are the MacBook models with eGPU support:
• 2016 MacBook Pro
• 2017 MacBook Pro
• 2017 4K iMac
• 2017 5K iMac
• 2017 iMac Pro
Also below are the following features that come with eGPU support:
• Accelerate applications that use Metal, OpenGL, and OpenCL.
• Connect additional external monitors and displays.
• Use virtual reality headsets plugged into the eGPU.
• Charge your MacBook Pro while using the eGPU.
• Use an eGPU with your MacBook Pro while its built-in display is closed.
• Connect an eGPU while a user is logged in.
• View the activity levels of built-in and external GPUs. Open Activity Monitor, then choose Window > GPU History.
The most obvious benefit of using an eGPU is being able to play highly intensive video games that users previously weren't able to run smoothly with default MacBook hardware.
Of course, there are a lot more other uses, too. For instance, a user can attach an eGPU to support multiple external displays for video-editing workstations. The eGPUs are also useful for pairing a MacBook with supported virtual reality headsets like the HTC Vive, as mentioned in the features list above.
It's also worth noting that it's possible to connect more than one eGPU at a time.
macOS High Sierra 10.13.4: Other Changes
Apart from eGPU support, the new macOS High Sierra update also brings Business Chat in Messages for U.S. users. Companies like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp all have enabled their services to accommodate customer service linkups and now Apple has its own version available on a desktop.
Bug fixes are also obviously included, like a new fix for graphics corruption issues affecting certain apps on iMac Pro and a fix for an odd issue where preview links sometimes don't appear in Messages.
macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 is now available to download from the Mac App Store or through the software update tab within it. The update is compatible with Macs that are already running High Sierra.
Have you downloaded and installed macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 yet? Are you already taking advantage of the eGPU support? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
